AUSD - Foothill Middle School

Welcome to Foothill Middle School

151 North Fenimore Avenue
Azusa, California 91702
(626) 815-6600

HOME OF THE TROJANS

Welcome to Foothill, Home of the Trojans! We pride ourselves on being a dedicated staff as we work together to provide a safe and caring learning environment for all students. Our goal is to provide students with the skills they need both emotionally and intellectually to be successful in high school as well as be life-long learners.

We have a well-rounded academic program which includes the core areas (Math, English Language Arts, Science, Social Science, and Physical Education) as well as a strong arts department (Band, General Music, Choir, and Art). Seventh and Eighth grade students have the opportunity to participate in an intermural sports program in football, volleyball, basketball, softball, and track.

Students are held to high expectations in the areas of both behavior and academic performance. We have a progressive discipline program that has been developed collaboratively using the Safe and Civil Schools model. Our counseling staff analyzes student data to ensure each student is placed in an appropriate and challenging educational program. We offer a variety of intervention programs in language arts and math to assist students in developing basic and test-taking skills.

We welcome parents and community members to be an active part of the Foothill Middle School community. Please contact us if you would like to know more about our school.

Attendance

Good attendance is necessary in order to get the best possible education so students are expected to attend school every day. On the day of an absence, parents should call the office after 7:00 AM to explain the reason for the absence. If parents have not contacted the school prior to the student’s return to school, the student MUST bring a note. Upon returning to school, students must go to the office between 7:30 and 8:00 AM to get an Admit Slip for class.

It is suggested that all appointments be made after school hours. If you change your address, email address or phone numbers, or leave your child under the temporary care of someone other than the legal guardian, please notify the school office immediately at 815-6600.

Discipline

There is a “hands off” policy on campus. Fighting, pushing, shoving, bullying, threatening stances, and verbal put downs are grounds for disciplinary action including suspension and/or a ticket issued by law enforcement authorities.

Tagging or gang related writing is not allowed on notebooks or backpacks. If you are in violation of this rule, notebooks or backpacks may be confiscated and you will have to replace the item.

The staff at Foothill realizes that most students respect the rights of others and follow the standards that have been established. However, in cases of extreme misconduct the principal or designee will use their discretion in determining the appropriate disciplinary measures to be taken. Consequences that may be used are detention, in-school suspension, parent shadowing, loss of extra curricular activities and suspension from school.

Electronic Signaling Devices

Students are allowed to be in possession of cell phones. Cell phones may be used before or after school or for emergency purposes only. If a student needs to call home during school hours they can ask permission to use a classroom telephone or the office telephone. Under no circumstances shall a cell phone or pager that has the technology to photograph, video, or text message be in operation during school hours.

The following items are not allowed at school: CD players, MP3 players, stereos, headphones, electronic game devices, cameras including video cameras and radios.

Dress Code

The Azusa Unified School District Governing Board believes that appropriate dress and grooming contribute to a productive learning environment. The Board expects students to give proper attention to personal cleanliness and to wear clothes that are suitable for the school activities in which they participate. Student dress must not present a health or safety hazard or a distraction, which would interfere with the educational process. Students may be suspended for defiance and refusal to comply.

Therefore, the Board declares that the following guidelines shall apply to all regular school activities:

A. All clothing must be suitable for school; neat, clean, size appropriate, and in good repair.

B. Clothing, jewelry, visible body art, belt buckles, and accessories shall be free of writing, pictures or any other insignia that:

· Are crude, violent, vulgar, profane, prejudicial, or sexually suggestive

· Advocate the use of drugs or alcohol

· By manner of being worn indicates or promotes an affiliation with a group or gang that may provoke violence or cause others to be intimidated.

C. Health or safety issues include but not limited to chains, inappropriate length of belts, spikes, heavy or oversized belt buckles and oversized jewelry.

D. Hats, caps, bandannas, beanies, ski caps or hair nets shall not be worn. Exception: (1) hats/visors, with a bill facing forward or a brim with no emblem/logo or with a site specific emblem/logo that is authorized by each school site are allowed to be worn during passing periods, lunch time when eating outdoors and during any school-related activity that is conducted outside, except those by manner of being worn, indicates an affiliation with a group or gang which may provoke violence or cause others to be intimidated: (2) head gear that is worn due to religious affiliation or for medical reasons with a doctor’s verification.

E. Clothes shall be sufficient to conceal undergarments at all times. See-through or fish-net fabrics, halter or bareback tops, off-the-shoulder or low-cut tops with oversized arm openings, bare midriffs and skirts or shorts shorter than mid-thigh are prohibited.

F. Shoes must be worn at all times. Thong-like sandals and steel-toed shoes are not acceptable. In addition, at the elementary and middle schools, shoes must have a back strap.

G. School sites may implement a voluntary uniform dress policy provided there is demonstrated parental support. EC 35183 authorizes school districts to adopt a dress code that would prohibit the wearing of gang related clothing.

Legal Reference: Ed Code 48900, AUSD Board Policy 5503.

Promotion Policy

All Students

Students qualify for participation in the end of year promotion ceremony by meeting three out of four the following criteria:

The student passes at least five semester core classes during the eighth grade year.
The student passes either LAPA or MAPA.
The student passes at least three out of five benchmark exams in Algebra/Mathematics or five out of eight benchmark exams in Language Arts.
The student passes all of the Math Facts Assessments.

English Language Learner Considerations

Generally speaking, English Language Learners who are Beginners and Early Intermediates may participate in the promotion ceremony even if they have not met the suggested criteria since language may be the overriding issue.
Intermediate level English Language Learners not meeting the criteria may be considered for Academy placement if space allows and they may participate in the ceremonies.
Students who are B’s, EI’s and I’s should be placed on a separate contract with criteria that addresses their language issues. In order to participate in promotion activities, these students must meet three out of five of the following criteria:

1. The student demonstrates mastery on the High Point Benchmarks or LAPA.

2. The student passes math benchmarks.

3. The student passes the math facts benchmarks.

4. The student passes MAPA.

5. The student maintains satisfactory citizenship and effort.

Special Education Student Considerations

It is important that the IEP process yields student achievement goals that are appropriate to the individual student’s disability. If the student meets the targeted goals outlined in the IEP, the student should be allowed to participate in promotion ceremonies.

Homework

Foothill staff believes homework is an essential part of the educational process. Students can expect up to 30 minutes of homework for each academic period not to exceed two hours on a daily basis. Homework is assigned to reinforce skills taught in the classroom. An assignment calendar is given to each student for each class and serves as a daily/weekly communication between teachers and parents regarding achievement, assignments and behavior.

Study Skills Binder

Every student needs certain supplies to have a successful school year. All students at Foothill Middle School are expected to have the necessary supplies. These supplies may be purchased at the school. A complete Study Skills packet is $12.00. Items may also be purchased separately.

Assignment Calendars

Calendars are provided for all students, one per class. You should assist your child by checking and signing these calendars on a weekly basis for the following things:

1. Are assignments written on the calendars?

2. Are the due dates for tests and projects written on the calendars?

3. Are completed assignments being checked off?

The Study Skills Program may account for up to 10% of a student’s grade in each class. Notebook checks occur every Wednesday during various periods.

Student Progress

Report cards – Foothill is on a semester grading period. However, students will receive a progress report at the end of each 6 week period (a triad). Students will receive a report card at the end of each semester. Parents are invited to contact the school any time they have concerns.

Renaissance

Renaissance is a nationally recognized program created to recognize students for their academic achievements. At Foothill we recognize students for perfect attendance, improvements they have made in their grades or in the classroom, as well as many other things. One of our main forms of recognition is based on students’ Grade Point Average (GPA) from their previous semester. These are recognized through our Renaissance Cards.

We have three different levels of Renaissance Cards. The Gold Card is for students whose unweighted GPA is 3.5 – 4.0 or higher. The Silver Card is for those students whose GPA is between 3.0 and 3.49. The Bronze Card is for students whose GPAs are between 2.5 and 2.99 or students who have improved their GPA by .5 or greater from one triad to the next. In order to be eligible for a card you must fit into one of the three categories and you must have no F’s or U’s on your report card.

In order to qualify for the end of the year trip to Knott’s Berry Farm a student must have earned four gold or silver cards or have earned 3 gold or silver cards along with one bronze card. Student’s attendance, tardies and citizenship will also be taken into consideration. Rallies will be held to recognize student achievement and accomplishments.

News

Foothill Middle School encourages parents to participate in school activities. It is also important for your child to attend school every day on time.

Click Here for School Calendar and Bell Schedule

Staff

A Dedicated Staff

Foothill has a dedicated staff who works together to provide a safe and caring learning environment for students.

Click Here for Staff List